Liverpool closing in on deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike – reports

Liverpool are close to reaching an agreement for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to reports.

The Athletic are reporting that the Reds have made an offer of £69m plus add-ons for the 23-year-old, in a deal that could eventually rise to £78m.

The news comes just days after the Premier League champions saw their approach for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak rebuffed by the Magpies.

However, Frankfurt are believed to be holding out for a figure in the region of £86m for last season’s top-scorer – a fee which would be a record sale for the German side, surpassing the £82.3m fee paid by Paris Saint-Germain for Randal Kolo Muani in 2023.

Ekitike, a France U21 international, scored 22 goals in all competitions last term – including 15 in the league – as Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga and clinched qualification to the Champions League.

🚨 Outline agreement between Liverpool & Eintracht Frankfurt for transfer of Hugo Ekitike to #LFC. Work needed to formally get it done; expected next day or so. If all add-ons met #SGE anticipate club-record sale (currently €95m). W/ @SebSB @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Nzf8CkYD2R

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 19, 2025

The forward was an unused substitute in Frankfurt’s 3-2 pre-season victory over city rivals FSV Frankfurt on Saturday and, after the match, manager Dino Toppmoller hinted at his player’s imminent departure.

“He didn’t play – everything else is easy enough to figure out,” Toppmoller said.

“That would be a tough loss. In the winter, we lost our absolute top player in Omar Marmoush [to Manchester City]. The other one [Ekitike] stepped up and developed sensationally.

“It’s quite possible that this, too, is now history. That’s why I believe we’ll need to lower expectations overall a bit.”

Earlier in the week, German publication Sport Bild reported that Ekitike has already agreed terms on a six-year contract until 2031.

Should the move materialise, it would represent another statement of intent from Arne Slot’s side, following the signings of Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Florian Wirtz – the latter’s £116m deal earlier this summer breaking the British transfer record.

Slot’s team will be looking to retain the Premier League title they won last season, claiming the crown with a 10-point lead over runners-up Arsenal.

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